Which race series - Lotus Elise
Discussion
Hi.
I'm planning to go racing next year. Had planned to go into hostorics in a Hillman Imp but I have some concerns around reliability and costs etc, ( they can be fragile and surprisingly pricey )..I may still go this route but...
My other thought was an S1 Elise but I wondered which Championship if I wanted a mixed field, ( rather than one make series ). I can't seem to see a Sports car series that's not endurance etc..I'm surprised there's not a series that is dedicated to modern sports cars inc s2000, elise, boxster, z4, mr2, 350z etc
Ideally it would be a road legal class.
Nearest I can see is CSCC modern classics series which sees a mix of all sorts and could be a good option..
Is there any series I'm missing?
Cheers, Ed
I'm planning to go racing next year. Had planned to go into hostorics in a Hillman Imp but I have some concerns around reliability and costs etc, ( they can be fragile and surprisingly pricey )..I may still go this route but...
My other thought was an S1 Elise but I wondered which Championship if I wanted a mixed field, ( rather than one make series ). I can't seem to see a Sports car series that's not endurance etc..I'm surprised there's not a series that is dedicated to modern sports cars inc s2000, elise, boxster, z4, mr2, 350z etc
Ideally it would be a road legal class.
Nearest I can see is CSCC modern classics series which sees a mix of all sorts and could be a good option..
Is there any series I'm missing?
Cheers, Ed
CSCC modern classics is a really fun series with a great variety of cars that all seem to race well, not uncommon to see Porsche v Ginetta v TVR v Jaguar v just about anything else playing out. It’s a series not a championship- may or may not make any difference to you.
If you went the Imp route there is a good support network for them in the CTCRC Pre66, in fact I think you’d have all the help you could ever need and more. Its also a fantastic championship.
If you went the Imp route there is a good support network for them in the CTCRC Pre66, in fact I think you’d have all the help you could ever need and more. Its also a fantastic championship.
I race in Modern Classics Ed and would recommend the series……very competitive but good driving standards, nice mix of machinery and the pit stop throws an interesting twist into the mix.
All the CSCC meetings are friendly and well-organised – I think the fact that there are a series of individual races rather than a championship means there’s less door-banging nonsense going on….
All the CSCC meetings are friendly and well-organised – I think the fact that there are a series of individual races rather than a championship means there’s less door-banging nonsense going on….
Another shout out for CSCC Modern Classics. It’s a very good, competitor focused club with good driving standards and good paddock camaraderie. Entry fees are good value for money with decent track time and the Calendar is good (I think Spa is back on the schedule for next season).
Of course, I should declare an interest, I used to be the series rep for Modern Classics so maybe a little biased!
The class regs were specifically designed to attract cars like the Elise, Ginetta G20 etc; that’s why there is a class for up to 1800cc cars. There are a few Elise’s race in the series already so you will be in good company.
CSCC are racing at Donington Park this weekend, with Modern Classics on Sunday. If you can make it along, drop me a message as I may be able to offer a free ticket. Will give you a chance to talk to participants.
Of course, I should declare an interest, I used to be the series rep for Modern Classics so maybe a little biased!
The class regs were specifically designed to attract cars like the Elise, Ginetta G20 etc; that’s why there is a class for up to 1800cc cars. There are a few Elise’s race in the series already so you will be in good company.
CSCC are racing at Donington Park this weekend, with Modern Classics on Sunday. If you can make it along, drop me a message as I may be able to offer a free ticket. Will give you a chance to talk to participants.
Edited by andy97 on Thursday 3rd August 08:14
CSCC Modern Classics makes sense for the Elise but I would disagree that it is competitive. All the CSCC stuff I have watched looks more like an expensive trackday.
Depends what you you want really. Roadsports is definitely a more competitive series. There are a few Elises running in trackday championship but again it’s not exactly a competitive series. And the problem with all of the above is that it’s a lot of prep/hassle/travel/etc. for one 40-45 minute race. There isn’t any series where you can do 2-3 sprint races in a weekend in an Elise that I know of, which is a shame.
I think a low cost, good value sprint race series for Elise/VX220/Ginetta G20/G40 would be a great idea. There are loads of cars out there not getting used.
Depends what you you want really. Roadsports is definitely a more competitive series. There are a few Elises running in trackday championship but again it’s not exactly a competitive series. And the problem with all of the above is that it’s a lot of prep/hassle/travel/etc. for one 40-45 minute race. There isn’t any series where you can do 2-3 sprint races in a weekend in an Elise that I know of, which is a shame.
I think a low cost, good value sprint race series for Elise/VX220/Ginetta G20/G40 would be a great idea. There are loads of cars out there not getting used.
Dan BSCS said:
CSCC Modern Classics makes sense for the Elise but I would disagree that it is competitive. All the CSCC stuff I have watched looks more like an expensive trackday.
Same as any mixed grid thing imo. Money wins. Elises are fabulous to race - but I'm not sure where I'd race one at the mo. Roadsports/Club Enduro is OK, MSV trackday trophy thing is OK, CSCC is OK - but none are elbows out compeitive fun - but that's the nature of mixed grids isn't it?
I might sell mine at some point but every time I think about doing it, my heart bleeds a bit as they're such lovely little things!
As Dan says, someone needs to badger one of the clubs to start up a lightweight race category for Elise, Exige, VX220 and Ginettas to compete. I don't want to race mine against M3's and Golfs.
Altrezia said:
As Dan says, someone needs to badger one of the clubs to start up a lightweight race category for Elise, Exige, VX220 and Ginettas to compete. I don't want to race mine against M3's and Golfs.
The last thing UK motorsport needs IMO is yet another niche race series. There are already many that don't generate grid numbers so they all run together which comes right back to the situation we have now.What's the problem with racing against M3's and Golfs? As long as there's someone on the same pace to race does it matter if it's for 1st or 10th? It's not as though we get paid to win races.
GlobalRacer said:
The last thing UK motorsport needs IMO is yet another niche race series. There are already many that don't generate grid numbers so they all run together which comes right back to the situation we have now.
What's the problem with racing against M3's and Golfs? As long as there's someone on the same pace to race does it matter if it's for 1st or 10th? It's not as though we get paid to win races.
My car is 700kg and made of plastic. Against other plastic cars it is fine, when rubbing agasint a 1.5T metal brick.. less so. What's the problem with racing against M3's and Golfs? As long as there's someone on the same pace to race does it matter if it's for 1st or 10th? It's not as though we get paid to win races.
Altrezia said:
GlobalRacer said:
The last thing UK motorsport needs IMO is yet another niche race series. There are already many that don't generate grid numbers so they all run together which comes right back to the situation we have now.
What's the problem with racing against M3's and Golfs? As long as there's someone on the same pace to race does it matter if it's for 1st or 10th? It's not as though we get paid to win races.
My car is 700kg and made of plastic. Against other plastic cars it is fine, when rubbing agasint a 1.5T metal brick.. less so. What's the problem with racing against M3's and Golfs? As long as there's someone on the same pace to race does it matter if it's for 1st or 10th? It's not as though we get paid to win races.
I've never raced so can't really say but think I'd prefer it vs racing against saloons. It seems back in the sixties there was plenty of "sports car" racing but much less today..?
Guards Trophy looks superb for historics but expensive..I can't see a modern version for the clubman racer?
Dan BSCS said:
I think a low cost, good value sprint race series for Elise/VX220/Ginetta G20/G40 would be a great idea. There are loads of cars out there not getting used.
What do you think the ideal race length would be? How many races in a day (plus qualifying) would be ideal? What about including Locaterfields and Aerial Atoms in the mix? What class split do you suggest? What max engine size and how would you account for forced induction cars?Can't speak for Dan, but for me it would be 2x20 min race (15min qualifying?). Atoms + Caterfields not sure, but I dont see why not. Plenty of places to race caterhams (against only other caterhams) already though. As there were only about 15 Atom cup cars, I can't imagine they are all out there dying to race? I haven't seen one in a club paddock since Atom Cup stopped.
Power(or torque)/weight and a minimum weight per car-type would probably work OK to keep it simple - used to work fine for Elise Trophy which had supercharged 'yota cars vs our older k-series cars.
Power(or torque)/weight and a minimum weight per car-type would probably work OK to keep it simple - used to work fine for Elise Trophy which had supercharged 'yota cars vs our older k-series cars.
It's a shame you want to avoid endurance, you would be welcome on this grid https://brscc.co.uk/formulae/brscc-supersport-endu...
Altrezia said:
Can't speak for Dan, but for me it would be 2x20 min race (15min qualifying?). Atoms + Caterfields not sure, but I dont see why not. Plenty of places to race caterhams (against only other caterhams) already though. As there were only about 15 Atom cup cars, I can't imagine they are all out there dying to race? I haven't seen one in a club paddock since Atom Cup stopped.
Power(or torque)/weight and a minimum weight per car-type would probably work OK to keep it simple - used to work fine for Elise Trophy which had supercharged 'yota cars vs our older k-series cars.
Yes, shame you dont like the 40 min 2-driver format; it has proven very popular and helps keep overall costs down for a lot of people, or even provide opportunity to share with an instructor for those that want that sort of support.Power(or torque)/weight and a minimum weight per car-type would probably work OK to keep it simple - used to work fine for Elise Trophy which had supercharged 'yota cars vs our older k-series cars.
Nevertheless CSCC have proven flexible, and whilst the majority of their series have 30 min qualy & 40 min races, the Magnificent 7s (Locaterfields) have 20 min qualy and 2 x 30 min non pit stop races because thats what the majority of drivers wanted. Drivers sharing cars, share practice and then do one race each.
Why don’t you speak to the CSCC office and see what the art of the possible is? It will help if you can have an idea of numbers of people who might be interested.
CSCC already has a few Elise, G20, G40 and an Atom drivers as members, and plenty of Locaterfields, so something could possibly be done.
I asked about including Locaterfields because many Magnificent 7; drivers dont want to share with “heavy metal” either but might share with lightweight Elises, G40s etc and that boosts the potential grid numbers and provides the Mag7 racers the opportunity for another (but mixed) race.
As for Atoms, there are a couple about racing, and at least one has raced (and won) in CSCC.
Edited by andy97 on Friday 4th August 19:28
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